The Mumbai Police’s investigation into the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique took a significant turn with the arrest of a scrap dealer from Navi Mumbai. Bhagwat Singh Om Singh (32), originally from Udaipur, Rajasthan, was apprehended for allegedly providing weapons to the individuals who carried out the fatal shooting on October 13th. This brings the total number of arrests in the case to 10.
The incident occurred near the office of Baba Siddique’s son, who is an MLA, in Bandra. Three individuals, identified as Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), who were involved in the shooting, are already in police custody. However, the mastermind behind the plot, Shivkumar Gautam, and two other alleged conspirators, Shubham Lonkar and Mohammed Zeeshan Akhtar, remain at large. A look-out circular (LOC) has been issued for their capture.
Further complicating the investigation is the recent suspension of three policemen. This action follows the release of videos showcasing a sharpshooter from the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang interacting with reporters while in police custody, commenting on the murder of Baba Siddique. The suspension highlights concerns regarding negligence in duty during the investigation.
Prior to the arrest of the scrap dealer, five individuals were arrested for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy. These individuals, residing in various areas of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, were accused of providing logistical support to the shooters and were paid ₹5 lakh. They were identified as Nitin Gautam Sapre (32), Sambhaji Kisan Pardhi (44), Pradeep Dattu Thombre (37), Chetan Dilip Pardhi (27), and Ram Fulchand Kanoujia (43).
Interestingly, five other individuals initially agreed to participate in the murder plot for a fee of ₹50 lakh but ultimately withdrew their involvement due to disagreements over payment and concerns regarding the political clout of the deceased minister.
The ongoing investigation is revealing the complex web of individuals involved in the murder. As the police continue their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects and unravel the full extent of the conspiracy, the focus remains on ensuring justice for Baba Siddique and preventing such incidents from occurring in the future.
